Boats seized from owners at Lymington harbour to go under the hammer

DOZENS of dinghies abandoned or seized after owners failed to pay mooring fees are being sold off by Lymington Harbour Commissioners.

The haul of 28 small boats can be inspected by potential buyers prior to a sealed bids auction on Sunday 7th April.

A spokesperson for Lymington Harbour Commissioners said: “As the statutory harbour authority, the commissioners have powers to seize and remove craft and to sell them to recover costs.

“Some of the dinghies may be sold for a small amount and then used to plant flowers in as a garden feature. Others may be perfectly useable for accessing larger crafts moored in the river.”

Interested parties have until 4pm on Sunday 7th April to submit their bids in a sealed envelope marked “abandoned craft sale”.

The spokesperson cautioned: “Potential purchases should be aware that if they bid on more than one lot, they could end up with two or more dinghies.

“We cannot offer any guarantee of seaworthiness in respect of these craft, which are ‘sold as seen’.

"New owners are advised to ensure that the craft they have purchased are suitable for the use to which they intend to put them.”

Winning bidders will be notified by the harbour office on Monday 8th April, and all crafts should be paid for and collected by Friday 12th April.

For more information on the sale or to arrange a viewing appointment, call the harbour office on 01590 672014 or visit www.lymingtonharbour.co.uk.